Located in the heart of Bangkok, Double B Hostel is a 27-room boutique accommodation project designed by VMA Design Studio. Built on a narrow plot of land, the building provides natural light and airiness despite the urban density.
Central Courtyard and Daylight
A large glass-roofed inner courtyard is at the heart of the hostel. This courtyard provides abundant daylight to all common areas. Due to the narrow façade of the site, the courtyard was planned as the main public space of the project. It connects the street entrance to the core of the hostel and guides visitors deeper into the building.
Wooden Facade Details
The wooden façade of the building extends from the outside to the inside, attracting attention. It starts from the street facade and covers the inner courtyard walls and corridor ceilings. The W-shaped profile of this surface allows light to fall from different angles.
Local construction skills were used in the construction of the façade. Although advanced computational design tools were used, the wooden parts in particular were shaped using traditional methods. The wood, heated by hot air, was bent over molds to create the desired forms. This technique demonstrates the integration of local craft knowledge into modern design.
Two types of wood were used as materials. Reclaimed timber from an old warehouse that was part of the site was chosen for the ceilings of the inner courtyard and corridors. Composite wooden slats resistant to the Bangkok climate were chosen for the exterior facade. All these choices support sustainability and ensure the durability of the facade.
Climate Control and Guest Rooms
Double B Hostel incorporates passive solutions in its design for the Bangkok climate. Each room has “pocket light boxes” (recessed glass balconies) filled with plants. These provide both aesthetic appeal and natural light. The planted balconies create an open-air garden atmosphere in the courtyard.
The courtyard system has a large exhaust system under the glass roof. This system draws hot air upwards and allows fresh air to enter from the lower floors of the building. This natural ventilation reduces the need for mechanical cooling and creates a comfortable environment in the interior.
Project Awards
This project has been recognized internationally for its design quality and innovative approach:
Architecture Hunter Awards 2024 (AHA2024) – Hospitality & Hotel Category Winner
Architizer A+ Awards 2025 – Special Mention, Hotels & Resorts Category
ASA Awards 2024 – Special Mention, Hospitality & Hotel Category (Siam Architects Association)
As Vichayuth Meenaphant, Director of VMA Design Studio, puts it, the project was designed to “bring as much natural light as possible into the heart of the hostel and reconnect the building with the artisanal heritage of the neighbourhood.”
Project Credits
- Project Name: Double B Hostel
- Design Office: VMA Design Studio
- Project Type: Hospitality Project
- Location: Sao ChingCha, Bangkok, Thailand
- Size: 1200 m²
- Year of Completion: 2023
- Status: Completed
- Scope: Architecture / Interior Design
- Design Team: Vichayuth Meenaphant, Peerawin Sawattanawanit, Panupong Sittiwong, Pattitar Na Chart, Suppasit Sirinukulwattana
- Photographers: Art Chitsanupong,
- Peerapat Wimolrungkarat, Suppasit Sirinukulwattana
Photos courtesy of v2com
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